Microsoft Corp. has cut 62 software-testing jobs from one of its Windows groups, attributing the decision to a shift toward automated testing in parts of the operation.

The elimination of the software test-engineering positions from the Windows Core Operating System Division was effective late last week.

It is the second Microsoft job reduction in recent months attributed to efforts to shift away from manual testing. Separately, in September, Microsoft cited similar reasons when it cut 93 positions involved in testing and user education in its Windows Server division.

At the time, Microsoft also created 44 other positions in that division more suited to automated testing, resulting in a net reduction of 49 jobs.

There are no current plans to replace or offset any of the latest job cuts in the same way, but that may be possible in the future, Microsoft spokeswoman Tami Begasse said.

Groups including the Washington Alliance of Technology Workers, which hopes to organize Microsoft employees, point to expansion by the company overseas and layoffs in Redmond as evidence that Microsoft is actively seeking to shift portions of its work to countries where labor is cheaper.

However, Begasse said the recent job cuts are not related to expansion in India or elsewhere overseas. Any positions established to support the new automation that prompted last week's cuts would be created in Redmond, she said. More...